Preview of Men’s and Women’s Soccer for Fall ’22

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Bluefield University have started their fall 2022 seasons. Both teams have been working long and hard to be well prepared for the their respective campaigns and all the challenges they may bring. 

Alex Smith is head coach for men’s soccer. He joined the BU team over the summer with years of playing and coaching experience. Gabriel Blakman is the men’s assistant coach. He is a former BU soccer player. The women have a new head coach in Patrick Ritter, who joins the team with a decade of coaching experience. He will be assisted by former BU student-athlete Jacob Key.

Each team also has a number of goals and aspirations for the year. The men hope to have a winning streak that makes the team stand out. The men also hope to have high grade point averages in the classroom. For the women, Coach Ritter said he hopes experience will lead to an improved women’s team.

“We are constantly developing a new style of play to help us be more successful,” Ritter said. “I believe everyone will see our growth throughout the entire season as we are able to play together in games more and more.”

The men’s team is fielding seven seniors this year, including Jake Mendoza, Gustavo De Oliviera, Connor Vencill, Andrew Goodman, Jovani Konstanty, Andre Souza, and Elijah Wilshire. The women have six seniors, including Emily Ledford, Cheyenna McMahon, Bella Cox, Amanda Scott, Brooklynn Whitaker, Carson Richardson, Stephanie Miller, Hannah Thacker, and Kaylei Newman.

This season also brings some up-and-coming freshmen. The men’s team has five new freshmen, including Andrew Pascal, Cathal Bradley, Andrew Shelton, Waylon Kasper, and Alexander Zimmerman. The women’s team has four new freshmen: Mollie Bolton, Savannah Holmes, Melanie Guerrero, and Kendal Barrett.

Both teams have several games under their belts already. The men are 4-2 (as of 09-17-22), including wins against Johnson & Wales University, University of Pikeville, Columbia University and Johnson University, and losses against Carolina University and Reinhardt University. The women are still searching for their first win with six losses so far (as of 09-17-22) against the University of Pikeville, Brevard College, Carolina University, Reinhardt University, Columbia University and Johnson University.

And while the season has already started, it is far from being over anytime soon, so come out and support the Rams at East River Soccer Complex and check out the bcrams.com for more information, including how to watch the teams online, statistics and player information. 

Photos by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.